With the elimination of the men’s singles champion, the tall thin figure in the baseball cap took to Centre Court the holder of an unwanted title – last Murray standing.

It fell to Jamie Murray, the lesser known brother of Andy but the first to win a Wimbledon title, to salvage the family’s hopes and interest with a mixed doubles third-round match alongside his Australian partner Casey Dellacqua.

There was none of the fervour that follows his favoured sibling. Centre Court was half full, the applause no more than respectful, but such is the lot of doubles and such is life as the other Murray. Which is unfair, as Jamie, who is now 28 – or “No1 son” as Andy waspishly calls him – brings much the same artistry and athleticism to the doubles court as his younger brother brings to singles.

Like Andy, he began the week with a reverse – elimination with his partner John Peers, another Australian, from the men’s doubles. Thus the last Murray strove to seize his last chance. The clash with the Australian Open mixed doubles finalists Horia Tecau of Romania and India’s Sania Mirza was tightly contested at the outset with Mirza and Tecau securing an early break.

Murray, mixed doubles champion with Jelena Jankovic in 2007, and Dellacqua broke back and then held to take a 5-4 lead. Tecau and Mirza held to level at 5-5 but an energetic and focused Murray pulled off a string of agile volleys mid-court to secure a second break and the set 7-5.

His quick brain and feet were on display again at the start of the second set when he improbably returned two volleys and a smash, all of which were slammed towards his feet. He scooped all three, prompting disbelief and then an error from the other side. He also fended off a break point.

In the following game, at 2-1, Murray’s deft backhand volley aimed directly at Tecau secured a break point and a 3-1 lead. Murray served to take a 4-1 lead and at 4-2, after chasing the length of the net for an angled volley, he saved a break point.

After 80 minutes, he served for the match progressing to match point with an ace and teasing an overblown forehand from Tecau to take the match 6-3.

The crowd, now swelled, took to its feet and cheered him off court: the traditional Centre Court farewell for the Murray who wins.

The British pair of Neal Skupski and Naomi Broady defeated Romania’s Florin Mergea and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 4-6 6-3 6-4 to also reach the fourth round.